Kathleen Chatham Wilson, 77, a long-time Waco resident, passed away on Sunday evening, December 9, after a lengthy illness. A graveside service will be held at Rosemound Cemetery on Thursday, December 13, at 10:00 AM with Rev. Leslie King officiating. Burial will be next her husband Alvie Wilson, and her grandson, Jackson Lance Shank. Visitation will be 6-7:30 PM, Wednesday, December 12, at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.

Kathleen was born in Waco on February 18, 1935. She was the youngest of five children born to Richard Coke Chatham and Hattie Lee Shivers Chatham. In 1941, her family moved to the family farm in Speegleville, Texas. They spent many wonderful days there until a fire destroyed their home in 1947, and they moved back to Waco.

Kathleen attended Speegleville and Waco schools. She graduated from Waco High in 1953. She then worked at several drug stores in Waco while attending Baylor University. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1957.

She worked one year in Belton ISD before going to work for Waco ISD for the next 45 years. She began working at Lake Air Junior High School when the school opened in 1958. She worked there until 1981. She then worked at several other campuses until her retirement from full-time teaching in 2003. She then was a substitute for the district until 2009. In 2008, she was able to join in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Lake Air as an original faculty member, which was very dear to her.

In the 1960’s, she was a horseback riding instructor at Camp Arrowhead in Kerrville. She loved horses and was an expert rider. She loved to go back each summer to visit the camp.

She married Alvie Wilson on August 16, 1969 at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco. They had 42 wonderful years together before he passed away on November 28, 2011. She never got over the shock of losing him.

Her daughter, Laura, was born on July 5, 1972. She was an extraordinary mother who shared the gifts of wisdom, enduring love, and a tremendous work ethic.

She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Jackson Lance Shank; three sisters and one brother; and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Shank and husband, Barry of China Spring; twin grandsons, Ragan and Rian Shank; step-granddaughter, Hailey Roberts of Sherman; several special nieces, especially Shelley James who had been with her countless hours in the hospital and at her care facility. She also had nephews and a special sister-in-law, Shirley Chatham.

The family would like to express their gratitude and love for Dr. John Shelton of Waco; all of the staff and other client family members of Alzcare, especially Angie, Kristy, Eva, Sharon, Kim, Ana, Franchesca, Monica, Pam, Sue and Maggie among other staff members; the staff of Providence Hospice who were so caring the last two days of her life, especially Angela; Ms. Bea, Ms. Connie and others at Greenview Manor Nursing Home; numerous friends at Educators Credit Union, especially Monica; and Ray, her animals’ caregiver.

Kathleen loved her God, family, horses, cows, cat, and especially her grandsons. She also truly loved seeing former students and hearing all of their successes everywhere she went. She will be deeply missed by everyone.

Condolences for the family of “Kathleen Wilson”

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